Editing Sorcery Hacker:Volume4 Phase01 (section)

===Part 5===

The Combined Royal Family’s castle was located at the capital’s very top level, but not all of its thousands of members were gathered there.

Quite a few princes and princesses had villas where they hid out on other levels.

9th Prince Roberat was one such example.

The 4th level was home to many wealthy families. His miniature villa was far from large, but he made up for that with the fine quality of each and every item within: the tea set, the ashtray, the table, the trashcan. The things in that one small building could likely buy an entire regional city.

But that didn’t mean it was comfortable there. The heavy gloom weighing down the place made the blue sky outside seem like a distant dream.

The prince, 25 this year, sat in a leather chair while deep in silent thought. He had prepared this place for precisely that purpose. So his family couldn’t discover any of his compromising secrets. Top-rate craftsmen had decorated everything with gold, silver, and jewels, which glittered with such an oppressive light it seemed to carry a cursed power.

His face was lined with deep wrinkles as he spoke.

“I can’t win.”

The maid standing at his side said nothing.

She knew from long years of experience that he wasn’t looking for a response.

“No matter what I do. If my father the king expires, it’s all over. No plan can save me.”

Then 9th Prince Roberat spoke to his maid.

She was one of the prototype humanoid sorcery weapons who had her organs replaced with biological gems and who protected a sword of succession. She possessed enough firepower to easily wipe out a small regional group of knights.

“Julielt Resurrection.”

“Yes?”

“Prepare to receive a guest. That woman should be arriving soon.”

Next, there was a sound like bed sheets beating at the air.

A sexy devil with fluffy blonde hair spread wide now stood by the window.

She was Queen Astaroth Revolver.

“Hee hee. Don’t bother putting the tea on. Do you see now that I was right?” asked the beautiful woman with a laugh. “That should have been enough of a ''demonstration''. The destruction of 3rd Prince Hemmij’s sword – that train that acted as a foundation of the capital’s defense – will present a severe disadvantage for him in the coming race. ''With his power and influence gone, the 3rd Prince is effectively out of the running.'' My power is destructive enough to change the seemingly immovable line of succession.”

“Says the leaked model who turned her back on her duty to guard the swords of succession,” hatefully commented Maid Julielt Resurrection, but Queen Astaroth Revolver shrugged it off with a calm smile. She didn’t even see the maid as someone worth speaking to. The words spilling from her alluring lips were directed only at the prince.

“Will you attempt a frontal assault, or will you sneak around and stab them in the back?”

The blonde devil smiled.

It was a meltingly sweet smile.

“Either way, my power will allow you to defeat the other princes and princesses who have a chance at the throne. Including the swords and maids who protect them. Then you can escape the curse of ‘maybe’. You can be confident of your ability to tear down your rivals, place the crown upon your head, and sit on the throne.”

“…”

“Now, let’s change this kingdom together. You must stand at the top of the Combined Royal Family which united the Static Continent and brought it such prosperity.”

Was that what the devil wanted?

Or did she want more?

“Whatever you want, my power can make it yours. As long as it is something which can be taken by violence. Hee hee. You only need to eliminate everyone who stands in your way. …And that includes Guardeleo lying sick in his bed.”

“Prince Roberat!!” interjected Julielt Resurrection, unable to remain silent any longer. “You mustn’t listen to her promises. What does a gentleman of your considerable talents need to worry or fear for? Why must the future king dirty his hands in this way? Would you really coat your own glory with mud!?”

A painful silence followed.

But he had known his answer from the start.

9th Prince Roberat spoke.

“Your test is complete, Queen Astaroth Revolver. I must recognize your skill even if you are the result of illegitimately leaked technology. And I already know what job I would have you complete first.”

“Prince!” cried Julielt Resurrection, but she stopped before saying anything more.

With an index finger jabbed toward the maid’s face, the man spat out some cruel words.

“''Shut her up.'' Weak sword, I have no need for anything that stands in the way of my ambitions.”

And thus the Combined Royal Family began to be dyed in the devil’s colors.

Dyed from within.